ArmaLite's ad has been out since at least last May, but just got Italy's attention

Italians are bashing an American gun manufacturer's advertising campaign that uses the iconic statue of David holding an AR-50A1 rifle with the tagline, "A Work of Art."

Italy's minister of culture took to Twitter on Saturday and threatened legal action against the Illinois-based weapon manufacturer Armalite for using the image of Michelangelo's masterpiece to boost sales of a weapon that retails for about $3,300.

Dario Franceschini said that he wants ArmaLite to withdraw the image because it "offends and violates the law."

Cristina Acidini, the superintendent of the State Museums of Florence, added that the image of David is copyrighted to Italy and can't be used without permission, according to Italy's state run ANSA news agency.

CNN could not reach ArmaLite for comment. Still, the controversial ad of David holding the rifle isn't new: It's been out since at least last May, when it was posted to the company's Twitter feed.

ArmaLite's current image in the "A Work of Art" campaign shows a rifle hanging on a museum wall wedged between two iconic paintings -- the Mona Lisa and "American Gothic."